Maldives President escapes unhurt in boat explosion; First Lady hurt

Sep 28, 2015, 15:12 IST
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IANS

Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom had a lucky escape while his wife and two others were injured when an explosion ripped through their speedboat as they returned home after preforming Haj in Saudi Arabia

Male/New Delhi: Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom had a lucky escape while his wife and two others were injured when an explosion ripped through their speedboat as they returned home after preforming Haj in Saudi Arabia.

Yameen, 59, and his wife Fathimath Ibrahim were travelling to Male from Ibrahim Nasir International Airport,which is located on the nearby island of Hulhule, when the incident occurred.

Maldivian authorities said that President escaped unhurt while his wife suffered "not serious" injuries. While the reason of the blast is yet to be ascertained, it is most likely to have taken place in the engine compartment.

"The explosion happened while the President and his wife were returning from the airport to Male after concluding their Haj pilgrimage," Maldivian High Commissioner to India Ahmed Mohamed told PTI in New Delhi.

"The President did not get injured but his wife did and is being treated at the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital. The injuries are not serious as per reports we have received so far," he said. He said that the President Yameen and others were quickly transferred to an accompanying police speedboat and brought to Male.

Videos shot following the explosion show the first lady lying down on a bench inside the speedboat. The president was seen leaning towards his injured wife.

According to reports, the first lady was the closest to the blast. Following the explosion, she landed backwards on the floor. At the same time, the floor cracked open, making a sharp, deep cut in one of presidential bodyguard Abdu Nasir's legs.

An unknown number of people, including presidential spokesperson Muaz, were also treated at the hospital for shortness of breath due to a gas leak reportedly associated with the blast. They have since been released from the hospital, Haveeru Online reported.

Police chief superintendent Hamdhoon Rasheed told journalists that a formal investigation had been launched jointly by the police and the armed forces. Assistance would be sought from both the US and Australian police, he added.

"We'll investigate this incident as a very serious matter," Rasheed said.

The Maldives, known for its luxurious island resorts, has been rocked by political infighting and disputed elections in recent years, but it is not known for serious political violence such as bomb attacks.

Yameen, a controversial figure both at home and abroad, came to power in a bitterly contested presidential election in 2013. He defeated Mohamed Nasheed, who was jailed this year for terrorism in a case that has drawn international criticism.

Meanwhile, the army, which is tasked with presidential security, has come under fire from ruling Progressive Party ofMaldives (PPM).

In a statement, the party called for a speedy investigation into the explosion and urged the armed forces to take extra steps in order to ensure the safety and security of the president and his family.